Comparison between the Risk of Developing Sleep Disorders with Lung Mechanics and Thoracic Ultrasound Signals in Adults with Obesity

Objective The present study aimed to compare the risk of developing sleep disorders with abnormalities in lung mechanics, abnormal ultrasound signals, and anthropometric parameters in adults with obesity. Materials and Methods A total of 50 individuals were assessed for the risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) using the Mallampati classification, the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), the Snoring, Tiredness, Observed Apnea, High Blood Pressure, Body Mass Index, Age, Neck Circumference, and Gender (STOP-Bang) questionnaire, and the Sleep Apnea Clinical Score (SACS). Patients also underwent respiratory oscillometry, spirometry, and thoracic ultrasound. Results The subgroup with abnormal respiratory oscillometry was more likely to have an ESS score indicating a high risk of developing OSA (87.5%) than the subgroup with normal respiratory oscillometry (42.9%) (p = 0.024). On thoracic ultrasound, the frequency of patients with a Mallampati classification of high risk of developing OSA was greater in the subgroup with > 2 B-lines (80%) than in the subgroup with ≤ 2 B-lines (25.7%) (p = 0.0003). The subgroup with subpleural consolidations was more likely to have an OSA-indicative ESS score (100%) than the subgroup without subpleural consolidations (41.9%) (p = 0.004). According to the multivariate analysis, > 2 B lines and body mass index were found to be independent variables for predicting the Mallampati classification, while subpleural consolidation was the only independent variable for predicting the ESS score. Conclusion In adults with obesity, the greater the risk of developing OSA was, the worse the resistive and reactive parameters measured by respiratory oscillometry. Abnormal respiratory oscillometry and abnormal thoracic ultrasound are factors associated with a high risk of developing OSA.